The Campfire Trail: December 17

December 17, 2022

Day 442 of the Adventure

I'm kind of back onto my rant from earlier in the week. It's all related to the difference between living in a state of dependence or independence. Being a DIY type of site with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, gaining in independence is a large part of life. Understanding how to get things done with as little outside help as possible is kind of the goal. Not to say that receiving help is a bad thing. I think that part of self-sufficiency is developing a circle of people and resources that lend themselves to your independence, and you to theirs. My rant has nothing to do with those helpful and healthy relationships. I was browsing social media postings and ran across one that essentially said. "In the Christmas Spirit, I would love for someone to gift me a couple acres to build my tiny home on." I believe the comments following the post were from folks mostly trying to be helpful. They ranged from links to affordable property for sale to tips on how to save for a couple of acres. Many of those were met with snarky responses declaring that if they could afford land, they wouldn't have mentioned being "gifted" land. Again, this is a rant of mine, so perhaps not everyone will be triggered similarly.

The idea of gaining in self-sufficiency, which by the way, is typically the goal of homesteaders, off-gridders and preppers, gets completely lost in the attitude of "I need someone to give me something". Those mind-sets are more to the point of someone who wants to "escape" a lifestyle and trade it for a "better" one but have no desire to develop the independence, self-sufficient skills to do so themselves. I don't know. I can't even put my thoughts about this into adequate words. I guess that what bewilders me is the quest for independence should be met with an equal effort of independence to achieve. Otherwise, what's the point? Pursuing self-sufficiency in life, by its very definition, is a self-sufficient journey. One where attaining that goal requires the gaining of the skills and knowledge to achieve it, then sustain it once it's achieved. If one does not possess the resources to purchase a couple of acres, they likely do not possess the skills and resources to then build a home on them. Then, they probably do not possess the skills, knowledge or persistence to maintain a lifestyle there. I am much more apt to encourage, help inform or educate someone who is asking the question; "What do I have to do to position myself to purchase a couple acres to develop my self-sufficient life?" It's a whole different approach and a different paradigm. One that does not demand the sense of entitlement being bestowed upon a recipient.

As I ponder this dilemma, I think, (I think) we are slowly losing our will to pursue our dreams if there's too much work or commitment involved. The sad part about it is when thinking back on the greatest "give-away" related to land, The Homesteading act of 1862, those who pursued that dream did so to great peril. It was the Spirit of independence that compelled them to risk life and limb for their dream of a self-sufficient way of life on their own land. This is a spirit that is alive and well with modern day homesteaders. It somehow tends to be lacking in others.

Just some of my thoughts on the subject.

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”

― Peter F. Drucker

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